Dolly Parton needs no introduction. That may be a good thing because her introduction could go on forever. The tireless singer, songwriter, musician, actress, author, and philanthropist has earned so many accolades—including double-digit Grammy Awards, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—it’s hard to know where to start. Adding to her coat of many colors, Parton also is a heavy hitter in the hospitality industry as an accomplished businesswoman with theme parks, resorts, and dinner shows. At 77, she shows no signs of slowing down. Throughout her astonishing six-decade career, Parton never forgot her roots in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, where this month she celebrates the opening of Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort in Pigeon Forge. In ConventionSouth’s exclusive interview with the country music star, Parton shares the inspirations for her success, how she avoided regret, what she does to relax, and what comes next.
You have a gift for storytelling. What story does Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort tell in reflecting you and the poignant song for which it is named?
I’ve always said that the Smokies are my ‘heartsong,’ the place where I go to reflect and refresh. No matter where I go, I feel my strongest connection to these beautiful mountains and the people—my people—who live here. HeartSong Lodge & Resort will provide a place in the Smokies for our guests to escape to; they can come here to reconnect and refresh in their own special ways.
What do you hope groups who come together at HeartSong take away from their time there?
We want their time here to be one they will remember forever. That is something we say about every guest who visits our resorts or our parks; Dollywood is about providing our guests opportunities to connect with one another and leave with memories that they’ll never want to forget. Whether it’s a group of co-workers or a family reunion, we want this to be a place where every group leaves closer to one another than when they came.
The Great Smoky Mountains region in which you were raised attracts millions of visitors each year. How did that area shape you, and what makes it so special?
There’s truly nowhere else in the world like the Smokies. No matter the season, God’s handiwork is always on display thanks to the beauty of these majestic mountains. It is one of those things you really need to experience at least once in your life, and I believe that is why so many people come each year to see it for themselves.
You have been tremendously successful in many areas. What drove you to branch out from music to the hospitality industry?
I originally started Dollywood because I wanted to do two things: I wanted to give people a reason to come experience the beauty of the Smokies, and I wanted to provide jobs to the hard-working men and women of the area. When I originally had the idea for Dollywood,
I wanted it to have everything you would need if you were visiting here: a place to have fun and laugh with your friends and family, places to eat and shop, and places to stay. During our 30th anniversary season, we opened our DreamMore Resort and Spa, and because it is so popular, we’re now going to be able to open HeartSong Lodge & Resort. I’m so very thankful Dollywood holds such a special place in the hearts of those who have visited. It’s the talented team of folks working at Dollywood and all of the hard work they put into everything that is why we’ve been able to be so successful through the years.
As a pioneering female entrepreneur who has been a strong role model for generations of women, what experiences and lessons can you share with the event-planning businesswomen in ConventionSouth’s audience?
I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to always believe in yourself and your abilities. There were times through the years where I had the opportunity to sell the rights to my songs or give up things to advance my career, and I never did them. I always wanted to stay true to myself, and part of that meant not compromising on my belief in myself and my dreams. If I had not done things the way I have, I think I would still regret it to this day. Your music, energy, and staying power have inspired millions. What inspires you and the philosophy by which you live?
I find inspiration in a lot of places: my faith in God, my family and friends, and, honestly, just in the goodness I see in people. I think all people have that goodness down deep inside of them, and I want to do all I can to inspire them to bring that out and show it to the world. I believe there are so many people that are never able to live up to the potential God has for them because they don’t have people supporting them on their journey. I’m inspired every day to create things that will encourage those people to share the good.
With such a busy schedule, what do you do for relaxation (perhaps ride the roller coasters at Dollywood)?
Well, you’ve probably heard me say that I don’t like to ride roller coasters, and that’s true; I’ve got too much to lose, like my hair for one thing! Seriously, though, I enjoy sitting down and writing. For me, it is so relaxing and really a great way to get all of my thoughts and feelings out and onto paper. I guess that is why I’ve written thousands of songs during my career. It’s something I can do that is my own little escape whenever I may just need a minute. That’s why a lot of the areas at our resorts are designed with tucked away places where you can sit and relax and have a moment to yourself. I think we all need that.
For more than 60 years, you have been entertaining the world, starting with singing on a Knoxville radio station at age 10 on to award-winning music, acting, writing, Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, and gifting free books to children around the world through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Can you give us a peek into your next act?
Well, most of the time I surprise myself with what I’m going to do next! I love all of the different projects I’m involved in because I think you should always try to find things you enjoy and invest your time in those things. I’ve got all kinds of different ideas of things I want to try, plus I’m always looking to find more ways to do more with my music and my movies. And, of course, the Imagination Library is definitely one of the most special things I’m busy with; we just gave away our 200 millionth book! That means a lot to me because we’re able to help so many boys and girls around the world develop a love of books. But really, I just wake up every morning and try to see what God wants me to do next.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I encourage everyone to be a light of hope and positivity in this world. I know I don’t always succeed at that, but I try my hardest every day, and I know if more people did that, we’d have a lot less of all the negative happening in our world right now.
I love hearing Dolly Parton sing, she has a beautiful voice and seems to be able to sing most any kind of song. I have been to Dollywood but I have not had the pleasure of staying in one of her resorts.